The Miss America Foundation presented Miss Utah 2021, Sasha Sloan with two scholarship awards on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
Sasha was announced as a finalist for the esteemed Jean Bartel Miss America 1943 Social Impact Initiative Scholarship and the Equity and Justice Scholarship on Monday, December 13, 2021. She then participated in a public round of interviews on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT.
Equity and Justice Scholarship
Sasha was the winner of the Equity and Justice award and received a $4,000 scholarship for her advocacy work for the refugee community in Utah.
The award was given to candidates that demonstrated “how equity and justice are integrated into the candidate’s social impact initiative to date; what ideas the candidate puts forward that, if selected for the job of Miss America, will build on her work; and how the candidate will use the scholarship to advance her education by building on her social impact initiative work.”
Miss Georgia, Karson Pennington was named first runner-up and received a $2,000 scholarship in this category.
Social Impact Initiative Scholarship
Sasha also received 1st runner-up and a $3,000 scholarship for the work she has done on her social impact initiative, Refugees Welcome. Since winning the title of Miss Utah in June, she has partnered with Utah Refugee Services, the Granite Education Foundation, and the Columbus Adult Education Foundation to advocate for Utah’s refugee organizations online, in meetings with public officials, and across Utah.
She has also partnered with the national nonprofit Their Story is Our Story and co-authored an inclusivity curriculum with Shurooq Al Jewari.
Other recipients in this category were:
- Winner and a $10,000 scholarship – Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama
- 2nd runner-up and a $2,000 scholarship – Alyssa Sullivan, Miss New Jersey
Jean Bartel Miss America 1943 Social Impact Initiative Scholarship
Initiated in 1988, the renamed Social Impact Initiative Scholarship was the first community service-related award presented to Miss America Candidates that honors Jean’s memory. It is available to the 51 candidates competing for the job of Miss America who exhibit exemplary community service and excel in their commitment to enhancing the Social Impact for others through volunteerism and community service.
Applicants must excel in their commitment to enhancing their social impact for others through volunteerism and community service. Consideration is given to depth of service, project creativity and the significant effects upon the lives of others. The applicants must demonstrate they have fulfilled a legitimate need in their community through the creation, development and/or participation in a community service project.
From the Miss America Foundation Social Impact Scholarship Background
Women in Business
Sasha was also a top-five finalist for the women in business scholarship.